Dec ’25 Newsletter

Season’s Greetings, Yale Black Alumni!

The end of the year often puts us in a reflective mood. The YBAA National Board recently held a virtual retreat to reflect on our first 90 days and prepare for 2026. I was asked to share my personal vision and direction for the board. As I prepared, I reflected on how and why I love Black Yale. When I matriculated in 2007, it was such a unique experience for me. I loved being surrounded by brilliant, beautiful, Black people from all over the world. And in my junior year, when we celebrated the 40th anniversary of the House and Yale Black alumni from across the generations pilgrimaged back to New Haven, I was struck by the continuity of Black Yale. Generations of Black students, staff, faculty, and New Haven residents stewarded the Black Yale community for however long they were in New Haven, and then passed on the deeply loved community to the next set of students, staff, faculty, and New Haven residents. The Yale & Slavery Report and the series of conversations YBAA held last year impressed on me that although we mark the founding of the House and Black Studies in 1969, there have been Black Yalies since the earliest days of this University. All Black Yalies are connected via this powerful community, anchored by the House. When we left New Haven, we went off into the world to make our impact. I see the Yale Black Alumni Association as a vehicle to bring a piece of that unique community wherever Black Yalies find themselves.

YBAA board directors, chapter leaders, and committee members have been tirelessly working to build that vehicle/plane (while flying it, as the business saying goes). I thank you for your grace for us as we build out this organization. We have had a busy last half of 2025 and we are gearing up for an engaged and fruitful 2026. Personally, it has been wonderful to see and reconnect with so many Black alumni during the YAA Assembly, Yale-Harvard Game Weekend (go Bulldogs!), the always lovely YBAA-LA holiday party, and just this Sunday at the Elizabeth Catlett exhibit at the Art Institute of Chicago (if you’re in Chicago before January 4th, please go see it!). Yale Black alumni have greatly enriched my 2025. In 2026, I invite you to plug into our growing community.

To that end, there are several ways to connect with Yale Black alumni and support YBAA.

1. Local YBAA chapter leaders have planned and are planning several in person opportunities to connect, including concerts, happy hours and service projects in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and beyond. If you have suggestions for local programming that you’d like to plan a YBAA outing around, please reach out to us and we can discuss connecting you with Black Yalies in your area. 2. We are reinvigorating our social media platforms, so please follow us on Instagram (@YaleBlackAlumni), on Twitter/X (@YaleBlackAlumni), on Facebook, and on LinkedIn. If you have events or updates that you’d like to make us aware of, please reach out to us at ybaa@aya.yale.edu. 3. I’m excited to announce that we will be launching a YBAA WhatsApp community for Yale Black alumni. More details can be found below. We’ve started with a small subset of the potential communities for our initial rollout, but if there’s a community you’d like to connect with (and you’re willing to help moderate the group and manage the programming), please do reach out. 4. A big thank you to the alumni who answered our initial Giving Tuesday request for donations. We now have over $16,000 pledged to support YBAA programming. We’re over halfway to our goal! Please consider joining with us to bring Black Yale around the world by donating. If you have any questions or need additional details, please email ybaa@aya.yale.edu.

I want to take a moment to explicitly thank some of those Black Yalies who have stewarded the Yale Black Alumni Association before our current group:

First, Janifer Lighten ‘83, the first YBAA National President, whose inspired leadership set the foundation that we build on today. Her and her family’s commitment to Black Yale has deeply strengthened and enriched the Black Yale community.

Second, Nicholas Roman Lewis ‘93 served for several years as a Senior Director at the Yale Alumni Association. During his tenure he was a staunch advocate for Black Yalies within the Yale Alumni Association. He was instrumental in the founding of YBAA, guiding the organization's growth, and helping to ensure our organizational relaunch and sustainability until his career change and departure from YAA.

Regina Bain ’98, MFA ’01 served on the YAA Board of Governors and during her tenure saw that YBAA was floundering. She stepped up and initiated a rescue, leading revitalization efforts, even through the pandemic, until a more formal relaunch effort was established.

In my last email, I neglected to mention two National Advisory Committee members, Kurt Schmoke, ‘71, former mayor of Baltimore, Dean of Howard Law School, and current president of the University of Baltimore and Timeica E. Bethel ‘11, current Assistant Dean of Yale College and Director of the Afro-American Cultural Center. Kurt has been dedicated to Black Yale from his time as a student activist until today, always providing wise counsel to leaders of our community. Timeica is guiding, preparing, and supporting the current Yalies (our future Yale Black alumni). As an alumna and now as the director of the House, she coordinated two amazing celebrations (AFAM50+ and AFAM55), again providing us the unique and unparalleled opportunity to connect across generations.

Of course, so many have made notable contributions, and this note would be endless if I were to attempt to name everyone individually. Still, I want to thank all Yale Black alumni leaders whose shoulders we stand on, from those who hosted and participated in the first meeting of YBAA to those who quietly and consistently support the organization behind the scenes.

As I hope is clear, YBAA could not exist without your time, talents, and treasure. We invite you to get involved in whatever way makes sense to bring Black Yale wherever you are.

Yours in Black and Blue,

Ivuoma “Ivy” Onyeador, SY ‘11 YBAA National President

Note from the Chapter Development Chair

Happy Holidays, Yale Black Alumni!

As we head into 2026, I am energized by the momentum building across our regions. We enter the new year with more than 10 chapters and growing and a clear desire for connection. Several chapters have relaunched with renewed purpose and we are excited to kick off a new year with exciting local programming designed to cultivate a more vibrant and connected network of Black Yalies across generations.

This year, we are doubling down on clear support for chapter leaders, streamlined resources, and bold new opportunities for engagement so you can experience more meaningful connection where you live. If you are interested in helping launch a chapter or planning MLK Day or Black History Month events, now is the perfect time to jump in and get involved.

In Service,

Theodore Agbi, Ph.D Membership & Chapter Development Chair, YC ‘17

YBAA Recognized with Excellence Award

I write to share good news from the 2025 Yale Alumni Association (YAA) Assembly and Yale Alumni Fund Convocation. This annual event brings together notable Yale alumni and alumni volunteer leaders from around the world for fellowship, recognition, and engagement with Yale’s leadership.

This year's event featured Yale President Mauri McInnis who spoke directly to the political pressures on higher education; Yale's intentional approach to the ongoing technology race; and the need for greater interdisciplinary academic programs for students. Additional sessions focused on best practices for engaging local alumni, open houses at our beloved House and other cultural sessions, time with inspirational current students, as well as faculty forums on navigating the current political climate. Read more on this year's Assembly here.

I would be remiss if I did not also highlight that the Assembly concluded on a high note with Yale's victory over Harvard during The Game which was held in New Haven this year. Yale's 45-28 victory was celebrated in style with YBAA sponsoring a tailgate that allowed alumni from across many Yale schools and classes to come together.

We Won! I'm thrilled to announce that the Yale Black Alumni Association was recognized during the Yale Board of Governors Excellence Awards ceremony, which awards Yale Alumni organizations for excellence in programming and best practices. Former YBAA Board Presidents Ralph Dawson '71 and Sheryl L. Carter '82, accepted the award on behalf of YBAA for the "revitalization" of our organization which began in 2024.

I encourage you to join your local YBAA and Yale alumni chapters and organizations. The conversations happening now about Yale's future are too important to not include our voices. Your participation in local and national alumni organizations helps to maintain our influence and advocacy for the values that matter most to our community.

In Service,

Tari Owi, YC '09

WhatsApp Communities Launch

We are thrilled to announce the launch of our new WhatsApp Communities Pilot Program! Many of you have expressed interest in more direct ways to connect, and we are testing this platform to evaluate its effectiveness as a resource for our network. Because maintaining these spaces requires administrative time and care, we want to ensure we are building the most relevant and sustainable communities possible. We are counting on your early participation and feedback to make this pilot a success!

How it Will Work: Starting January 2, 2026, these communities will serve as a vibrant platform for sharing resources, networking, and engaging with one another.

Why Join?

• Connect with Fellow Alumni: Our communities will allow you to engage with fellow Black Yale alumni from various backgrounds and professions.
• Stay Informed: Receive timely updates about YBAA events, initiatives, and opportunities directly.
• Participate in Discussions: Join vibrant conversations, share insights, and provide support on topics that matter to you.

Launch Communities — For a strong start, we are launching with our most active groups:

• YBAA General (For all membership)
• Active Local Chapters: Atlanta, Bay Area, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Connecticut, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C.
• Post-launch, we will evaluate adding additional communities centered around specific interests. Please reach out if you have any interest in launching one!

Next Steps: Please look out for an email in the coming weeks with detailed instructions on how to join the pilot. If you have any questions in the meantime, feel free to respond directly to this email.

Participation is open to all confirmed YBAA members. Simply provide your full name, Yale affiliation, and graduation year to enable the Community Admins to grant you access. We have established community guidelines to ensure respectful and constructive interactions, and our dedicated Community Admins will help maintain a positive environment.

We believe these WhatsApp communities will strengthen our national and local YBAA network, promote lifelong connections, and support our mission. We look forward to your participation and feedback as we embark on this exciting journey together!

Food Drive & Community Support

As members of the Yale Black Alumni Association, we share a deep connection to New Haven. Our time on campus shaped us, and this holiday season offers a powerful opportunity to give back to the community that gave us so much.

Rising costs and economic hardship have made it increasingly difficult for many families to put nutritious food on the table. Ensuring our neighbors have access to good meals is a matter of community well-being and the perfect way to spread holiday cheer that lasts beyond the New Year.

How You Can Help

• Donate Money: This is often the most impactful action. Donate to Connecticut Food Share or Find Your Local Food Bank. On average, $1 can purchase 4–12 meals.
• Volunteer: Lend a hand at a local pantry. Tip: Weekdays are often more in need of volunteers than holidays.
• Donate Essentials: Organize a drive for food and hygiene products (soap, toothpaste, diapers, and formula are in high demand).
• Start a Pantry: If you have a local business or space, consider hosting a community pantry for immediate relief.

Community Spotlight: Carmen Clarkin (YC '20, YSPH '21) runs a "Monthly Micro Collection" in her building—a "Take what you need, leave what you can" box for non-perishables—and donates funds from bottle redemptions to local food banks and direct aid. If you donate, volunteer, or have ideas to share, tag YBAA!

Black Ivy on The Vineyard: Major Success!

We are thrilled to report that the recent Black Ivy on The Vineyard gathering over the summer was a resounding success! With over 300 attendees, the energy was palpable as Black alumni from Yale, Harvard, and Cornell came together for a beautiful afternoon of connection and celebration.

The Yale representation was superb, featuring alumni from Yale College, SOM, Divinity, Law, Public Health, and more. Current students and even former Yale athletes joined the mix, making it a true cross-generational gathering. Attendees remained long beyond the stated end-time, grateful for the enthusiastic atmosphere and the chance to reconnect with old friends and make new ones.

It was beautiful to see our schools come together in such a meaningful way, and we are proud of what we accomplished. A huge thank you to everyone who joined us and to our partners at Cornell and Harvard for their collaboration. We look forward to keeping this momentum going!

2026 YBAA Fundraising Drive Update

This year marks an exciting relaunch of YBAA. We’re asking you to consider a gift this holiday season to help us rebuild and sustain this network for years to come. YBAA runs entirely on the support of its alumni. There are no other funding sources—this community sustains itself. Every dollar we raise directly supports our ability to operate, grow, and serve the community we all share.

Our goal for this fundraising round is to raise at least $30,000 to power YBAA’s programs and activities over the next year, and we’re already off to a strong start with over $16,000 committed. Every contribution, no matter the size, moves us closer to sustaining and expanding our work.

Over the past year, YBAA has hosted regional summer sendoffs for new students heading to New Haven, organized alumni days of service, and brought our community together through holiday parties, happy hours, Black Ivy alumni gatherings, and educational panels.

Your support helps us continue and grow these programs, creating meaningful opportunities for connection, mentorship, and shared celebration. Meeting our fundraising goal will allow us to build on this foundation by:

1. Securing sustainable funding for our national programming. 2. Providing dedicated and reliable support to chapter leaders across the world. 3. Beginning to invest in initiatives that more intentionally connect our alumni network with the current generation of students at Yale.

Please consider joining with us to bring Black Yale around the world by donating. If you have any questions or need additional details, please email ybaa@aya.yale.edu.

Thank you for helping us build a strong, visible, and connected community of Black Yale alumni—today and for generations to come.

Yours in Black & Blue,

Jason Lightning, National Treasurer, YC ‘15, SOM ‘17 Darryl Auguste, Finance & Fundraising Co-Chair, YC ‘09

Featured Event: Julian Davis Reid in Concert — NYC & Chicago

Julian Davis Reid (YC '13) is a contemplative, emotionally dynamic pianist and composer from Chicago. His group’s two-set performance of his new jazz album, *Vocation*, will explore the relationships in his life most precious to him and will invite you to explore those most precious to you.

Get Tickets

• New York (Jan 10 @ NuBlu Classic): NYC Tickets
• Chicago (Jan 14 @ Constellation): Chicago Tickets

About the Artist: Julian Davis Reid (M.Div., Candler School of Theology) is a Black artist-theologian from Chicago whose work invites us to rejoice, lament, and hope together. A pianist, composer, producer, speaker, and writer, Julian is the founder of the ministry Notes of Rest®, a contemplative-musical experience that invites the weary to practice God’s transforming rest. Julian steadily releases and performs new music, this year having released *Vocation*, *Notes of Rest Hymns Vol.1*, and *BEHOLD* (with The JuJu Exchange).

A former member of Isaiah Collier & The Chosen Few, Julian has performed across North America and across Europe, including the Montreal Jazz Fest, Lollapalooza, and the Berlin Jazz Fest. He has also created with Jennifer Hudson, Chance the Rapper, Tank and the Bangas, Andrew Bird, Jamila Woods, Derrick Hodge, Keyon Harrold, Kenneth Whalum, Nat Reeves, and Abiodun Oyewole from The Last Poets.

An award-winning writer, Julian shares about his journey as an artist-theologian on his Substack “Julian’s Note” and he has published essays in several books, including *Naming the Spirit: Pneumatology through the Arts* (2025). Julian’s work has been covered in The New York Times, Forbes, Sojourners, Billboard, and Downbeat. He lives in Chicago with his wife and daughter.

Band Members: Julian Davis Reid (Piano), Ethan Philion (Bass), James Russell Sims (Drums), Tramaine Parker (Vocals)

YBAA Atlanta is Back!

The word on the street is that Atlanta is back. YBAA ATL relaunched its chapter this November, pulling together interested members to plan for the new year. As membership grows, so have two clear values for the southeast region: Service and Connection. We are watering those seeds and proudly working closely with our families* in the Harvard Black Alumni Society’s Atlanta Chapter.

Recent Highlights: We hosted a guided wine tasting at the Black-owned boutique wine shop, “Wine Shoe”, on November 6th. YBAA ATL members joined HBAS for an evening of laughter, celebration, and curated autumnal treats.

Upcoming: In a few weeks, YBAA and HBAS will celebrate the holiday season together for another exciting HBAS-hosted Holiday Party! Stay tuned!

Want to join YBAA Atlanta? Sign up here.

YBAA Boston Relaunches & Upcoming Shades Concert

Thanks to all who joined us for the casual, virtual meet-and-greet in November. We are excited about growing forward into 2026!

To kick things off, we hope to see you in-person at the Shades concert and for dinner afterwards.

• Date: Friday, January 9
• Time: 6:00 – 8:00 pm
• Location: Summer Shack (149 Alewife Brook Parkway, Cambridge)
• Concert: Register by January 6 to attend the concert.
• Dinner: Email nnenna.ukwu@aya.yale.edu to RSVP for dinner.

YBAA Chicago Celebrates the Holidays

Year-End Outing at the Art Institute

YBAA-Chicago closed out the year with an intergenerational outing to the Art Institute of Chicago to view the very excellent exhibit, *Elizabeth Catlett: A Black Revolutionary Artist and All That It Implies*. The exhibition is a long-overdue retrospective that brings together more than 100 works from across Catlett’s career, showcasing her role as a deft sculptor, printmaker, ardent feminist, and lifelong social activist.

All members deeply enjoyed the exhibit, and we highly recommend visiting it before it closes January 4th, 2026.

Pictured: Christine Saffold ‘11, Marc-Henry Dorval ‘22, Cunyon Gordon ‘73, LAW ‘81, Ivy Onyeador ‘11, Amaka Gratia YSN ‘21. Not pictured: DaVida Rice ‘80.

YaleWomen Chicago Holiday Party

Yale Black alumnae gathered to celebrate the holidays with YaleWomen Chicago!

Pictured: Morgan Pierce MEM '20, Cynthia Okechukwu '08, LAW '13, J. Cunyon Gordon '73, LAW '81, Tiffany Mason '10, Ivy Onyeador '11, Shakira Sanchez-Collins '08, DIV '11.

Upcoming Events

• Harvard-Yale Happy Hour: A joint happy hour is being planned for January! Be on the lookout for more details coming soon.
• Julian Davis Reid Concert: Join us on Jan 14 for a special performance by Yale alum Julian Davis Reid. See full details in the Featured Event section above!

YBAA New York Looks Forward to 2026

Jason Lightning ‘15 and Adrienne Lighten ‘10 are thrilled about the YBAA relaunch and to serve as the chapter leaders for YBAA New York. This year, we’ve hosted a Black History month event and a Harvard-Yale Watch Party with the Harvard Black Alumni Society for over 50 members. We look forward to seeing many of you at the upcoming Julian Davis Reid concert (see details above) and more events in 2026!

YBAA LA Celebrates Holidays, Arts & New Students

YBAA-LA closed the year on a high note with our signature Holiday Party on December 7th. Generously hosted by Eric Richards ’86 and Sheila Ducksworth ’89, the festive evening brought alumni together to reconnect and prepare holiday cards and gift kits for first-year students. Thank you to our hosts and everyone who joined us for this spirited tradition!

Looking back on a vibrant season, we also enjoyed a night of theater in October for *Jaja’s African Hair Braiding* at the Mark Taper Forum. The event, co-hosted with Yale in Hollywood, spotlighted cast member Abigail Onwunali MFA ’23 and included a special post-show meet-and-greet with CTG CEO Meghan Pressman.

Earlier in the year, we welcomed five new members of the Class of 2029 at our Summer Send-Off in Ladera Park, offering advice and community to the newest generation of Black Yalies.